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Information Summary

Ranks 946th overall and 14th in Oregon

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Demographics – Main Campus and Surrounding Areas

Reported area around or near Portland, OR 97201

Surrounding communityLarge city (inside urban area, pop. over 250,000)
Total Population24,960 (24,960 urban / N/A rural)
Households13,695 (1.77 people per house)
Families4,986 (2.57 people per family)
Pop. — African American554
Pop. — Asian1,925
Pop. — Pacific Islander99
Pop. — American Indian / Alaskan Native361
Pop. — White (incl. Hispanic)22,347
Pop. — Other481
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Carnegie Foundation Classification

Doctoral/Research Universities

UndergraduateArts & sciences plus professions, high graduate coexistence
GraduateDoctoral, professional dominant
Undergraduate PopulationMedium full-time four-year, selective, higher transfer-in
EnrollmentHigh undergraduate
Size & SettingLarge four-year, primarily nonresidential

General Characteristics

Highest offeringDoctoral degree
Calendar SystemQuarter
Years of college work requiredN/A
Variable TuitionYes

Special Learning Opportunities

Distance LearningYes
ROTC — Army / Navy / Air Force YesYes / No / No
Study AbroadYes
Weekend CollegeNo
Teacher CertificationYes

Student Tuition Costs and Fees

What are the typical tuition costs and fees for attending Portland State University?

Ranks 1599th for total cost of attendance

  In District In State Out of State
FT Undergraduate Tuition $4,314 $4,314 $16,380
FT Undergraduate Required Fees $1,449 $1,449 $1,449
PT Undergraduate per Credit Hour $98 $98 $364
FT Graduate Tuition $9,396 $9,396 $14,904
FT Graduate Required Fees $1,449 $1,449 $1,449
PT Graduate per Credit Hour $261 $261 $414
Total Cost of Attendance — On-Campus $7,614 $7,614 $19,680
Total Cost of Attendance — Off-Campus w/out Family $21,914 $21,914 $33,980
Total Cost of Attendance — Off-Campus with Family $11,414 $11,414 $23,480

Student Tuition Cost History and Trends

Three year history and trends on the cost of attending

  In District In State Out of State
Published Tuition & Fees $4,960 trend  $5,764 $4,960 trend  $5,764 $17,125 trend  $17,830
  Cost (regardless of residency)
Books & Supplies $1,600 trend  $1,850
On-Campus – Room & Board N/A trend  N/A
On-Campus – Other Expenses N/A trend  N/A
Off-Campus w/out Family – Room & Board $9,800 trend  $10,500
Off-Campus w/out Family – Other Expenses $3,000 trend  $3,800
Off-Campus with Family – Room & Board $3,000 trend  $3,800

Admission Details

Application Fee RequiredN/A
Undergraduate Application Fee$50
Graduate Application Fee$50
First Professional Application FeeN/A
Applicants 4,055 (1,826 male / 2,229 female)
Admitted 2,876 (1,271 male / 1,605 female)
Admission rate 71%
First-time Enrollment 1,460 (671 male / 789 female)
FT Enrollment 1,285 (588 male / 697 female)
PT Enrollment 175 (83 male / 92 female)
Total Enrollment24,254

Admission Criteria

What criteria does Portland State University use for admissions?

Required = Required, Recommended = Recommended, Neither required nor recommended = Neither required nor recommended
Open AdmissionsNo
Secondary School GPA / Rank / RecordRequired / N/A / Required
College Prep. CompletionRequired
RecommendationsRecommended
Formal competency demoRecommended
Admission test scoresRequired
TOEFLRequired
Other testsN/A

Admission Credits Accepted

What types of credits does Portland State University accept?

Dual CreditYes
Life ExperienceNo
Advanced Placement (AP)Yes

Athletics - Association Memberships

Sports / Athletic Conference Memberships NCAA
NCAA Football Conference Big Sky Conference
NCAA Basketball Conference Big Sky Conference
NCAA Baseball Conference Big Sky Conference
NCAA Track & Field Conference Big Sky Conference

SAT Test Admission

Ranks 582nd for 75pctl scores

Applicants submitting SAT results 77%
Verbal scores (25/75 %ile) 460 / 590
Math scores (25/75 %ile) 460 / 580
Cumulative scores (25/75 %ile) 920 / 1170

Student Services

Remedial ServicesYes
Academic / Career CounselingYes
PT Cost-defraying EmploymentYes
Career PlacementYes
On-Campus Day CareYes
Library FacilityYes

Student Living

First-time Room / Board RequiredNo
Dorm CapacityN/A
Meals per WeekN/A
Room FeeN/A
Board FeeN/A

Student Financial Aid Details

How many students use Financial Aid, and how much do they use?

Portland State University Ranks 3865th for the average student loan amount.

  Average Users % of Attendees
Federal Grant Aid $2,528 345 pie   29%
State & Local Grant Aid $1,402 169 pie   14%
Institutional Grant Aid $2,523 260 pie   22%
Student Loan Aid $2,999 696 pie   58%
Any financial aid type   748 pie   62%

Student Enrollment Demographics

How many students are enrolled at Portland State University?

  Men Women Total
Non Resident Alien
8006321,432
Black Non-Hispanic
378350728
Hispanic
4185851,003
Asian / Pacific Islander
9171,1622,079
American Indian / Alaskan Native
134189323
White Non-Hispanic
6,7508,95515,705
Race Unknown
1,4391,5452,984
Total 10,836 13,418 24,254

Student Graduation Demographics

How many students graduated at Portland State University?

  Men Women Total
Non Resident Alien
21930
Black Non-Hispanic
191938
Hispanic
233053
Asian / Pacific Islander
6686152
American Indian / Alaskan Native
369
White Non-Hispanic
264300564
Race Unknown
393069
Total 435 480 915

Most Popular Fields of Study

The top 5 fields of study completed at Portland State University.

  Men Women Total
103 217 320
83 189 272
94 166 260
86 168 254
55 183 238

Student Completion / Graduation Demographics

How many students are successful graduates?

  Non Resident Alien Black Non-Hispanic Hispanic Asian / Pacific Islander American Indian / Alaskan Native White Non-Hispanic Race Unknown Total
Accounting 10 2 2 38 104 9 165
African-American/Black Studies 2 2 4
Anthropology 1 1 16 8 26
Architecture (BArch, BA/BS, MArch, MA/MS, PhD) 3 1 7 17 5 33
Art History, Criticism and Conservation 1 2 15 2 20
Audiology/Audiologist and Hearing Sciences 1 6 1 31 4 43
Biochemistry 1 2 4 8 4 19
Biological and Physical Sciences 29 2 15 2 79 11 138
Biology/Biological Sciences, General 1 3 4 12 1 93 11 125
Business Administration and Management, General 8 8 7 24 1 163 24 235
Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other 1 1 1 3
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other 2 5 17 2 26
Cartography 1 22 23
Chemistry, General 4 7 11
Chinese Language and Literature 1 4 1 6
City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning 1 1 1 34 7 44
Civil Engineering, General 2 1 1 6 39 8 57
Communication Studies/Speech Communication and Rhetoric 2 12 2 6 2 100 9 133
Community Health and Preventive Medicine 1 4 6 6 3 41 8 69
Community Organization and Advocacy 1 2 2 22 3 30
Computer Engineering, General 1 1 2 6 14 2 26
Computer Science 18 1 7 1 50 10 87
Computer Software Engineering 2 7 1 10
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other 1 1
Conducting 1 1
Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services 1 1 2 39 3 46
Creative Writing 1 1 1 3 42 4 52
Criminal Justice/Safety Studies 2 5 4 6 3 58 6 84
Curriculum and Instruction 2 8 2 2 91 3 108
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General 1 8 9
Early Childhood Education and Teaching 1 9 10
Economics, General 8 1 4 31 6 50
Education, General 1 7 12 10 2 199 23 254
Educational Leadership and Administration, General 2 3 1 57 8 71
Educational/Instructional Media Design 4 4
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering 74 1 6 22 1 35 13 152
Elementary Education and Teaching 3 13 22 9 2 253 18 320
Engineering, Other 3 1 4
Engineering/Industrial Management 17 2 3 5 1 28
English Language and Literature, General 1 4 9 1 3 107 15 140
Environmental Science 2 1 8 1 12
Environmental Studies 1 1 12 1 15
Finance and Financial Management Services, Other 2 4 6 5 17
Finance, General 14 3 2 28 1 74 12 134
Fine/Studio Arts, General 3 1 36 12 52
Foodservice Systems Administration/Management 2 2 2 8 2 16
Foreign Language Teacher Education 1 1
French Language and Literature 2 1 11 1 15
Geography 1 2 3 1 38 7 52
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences, Other 4 4
Geology/Earth Science, General 1 8 1 10
German Language and Literature 5 3 8
Gerontology 3 3
Graphic Design 3 1 6 1 40 5 56
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other 2 2
Health Teacher Education 1 1
Health/Health Care Administration/Management 2 1 1 1 21 1 27
Hispanic-American, Puerto Rican, and Mexican-American/Chicano Studies 5 1 6
History, General 1 2 1 1 75 11 91
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services, Other 2 1 3 3 14 1 24
Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General 2 13 38 6 59
Hydrology and Water Resources Science 1 3 4
International Business/Trade/Commerce 17 1 6 11 24 3 62
International Relations and Affairs 3 4 1 10 8 26
Japanese Language and Literature 1 1 7 2 11
Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching 1 4 44 11 60
Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies 1 9 20 3 4 193 30 260
Linguistics 5 1 1 1 15 4 27
Logistics and Materials Management 2 1 2 28 3 36
Management Information Systems, General 9 1 3 15 23 5 56
Marketing/Marketing Management, General 7 1 3 17 1 81 8 118
Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling 1 1
Mathematics Teacher Education 1 1
Mathematics, General 1 1 6 35 7 50
Mechanical Engineering 6 6 1 31 2 46
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other 1 1
Music Performance, General 6 6
Music, General 3 1 24 3 31
Natural Resources Management and Policy 2 6 8
Near and Middle Eastern Studies 2 2
Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution 2 2 2 8 1 15
Philosophy 18 8 26
Physics, General 6 11 17
Political Science and Government, General 1 2 1 1 32 11 48
Psychology, General 9 5 11 29 7 156 21 238
Public Administration 9 5 3 2 1 44 6 70
Public Health Education and Promotion 1 15 2 18
Public Health, Other 1 2 7 32 2 44
Real Estate 1 1 10 1 13
Russian Language and Literature 3 3
Sculpture 6 6
Secondary Education and Teaching 1 1 4 2 2 97 6 113
Social Sciences, General 3 15 15 19 7 190 23 272
Social Work 1 3 8 6 6 156 19 199
Sociology 1 4 6 9 2 64 8 94
Spanish Language and Literature 5 2 32 5 44
Special Education and Teaching, General 1 5 1 69 10 86
Special Products Marketing Operations 1 1 9 1 12
Statistics, General 3 1 8 12
Student Counseling and Personnel Services, Other 1 1 2 6 1 11
Systems Science and Theory 1 1 6 2 10
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Other 4 4
Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor 12 2 2 38 3 57
Transportation/Transportation Management 1 1
Urban Studies/Affairs 1 4 5
Women's Studies 1 9 10
Total 334 135 228 425 71 3,797 516 5,506

Faculty Compensation / Salaries

Portland State University Ranks 864th for the average full-time faculty salary.

Tenure system Yes
Average FT Salary $62,857 ($67,993 male / $55,654 female)
Number of FT Faculty 627 (366 male / 261 female)
Number of PT Faculty 741
FT Faculty Ratio 0.8 : 1
Total Benefits $16,865,317
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Portland State University School Images

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Portland State University Summary

The following paragraph provided courtesy of wikipedia.

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Portland State University is a public state urban university located in downtown Portland, Oregon. Portland State is part of the Oregon University System. Portland State University’s growth for the next couple of decades was constricted under the ruling that no public university or college in Oregon could duplicate the programs offered by another, with grandfathered exclusions for the University of Oregon and Oregon State University. This program has been controversial both on and off campus, but it is one of the programs at Portland State that has garnered national attention. The racial make-up of Portland State students is over 90% white even as Portland State promotes a more racially diverse student body. In early 2005, State Representative Mitch Greenlick along with co-sponsors introduced legislation in the Oregon House of Representatives that would have merged Portland State and OHSU. In May 2006, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer helped Portland State University celebrate the grand opening of a new engineering building, the “Northwest Center for Engineering, Science and Technology”. In March 2007, Representative Greenlick introduced HB 3034 , a proposal which would remove Portland State from the Oregon University System and merge its governance with OHSU into a Portland Metropolitan Universities Board. Portland State is currently the largest school in the Oregon University System and is its fastest growing. Portland State has progressively added more PhD programs as it evolves from its historic roots as a liberal arts undergraduate college towards a more broad based national research university. World Report currently ranks Portland State University in the fourth tier in 2007 as a national research university as it progresses from a regional to national entity. Portland State differs from the other universities in Oregon partially because as an urban institution it attracts a student body older than other rural universities. These establishments preserve downtown shops and businesses while transforming Portland State University from a “commuter campus” to a mix between a commuter and a traditional campus. Further steps toward increasing housing capacity — and university control over its own housing — are being taken with plans for further construction, and with Portland State U taking over management of the residence halls it currently owns. In March of 2007, Portland State University took over the managing of the on-campus housing at Portland State University. The student government at PSU is the Associated Students of Portland State University. The student newspaper at Portland State is the Daily Vanguard, a fully student-run newspaper established in 1946. Portland State University is served on Third, Fourth, and Broadway Avenues by TriMet bus lines, by the Portland Streetcar at three stops throughout campus, and by Oregon Health & Science University and Portland Community College Shuttles on SW Harrison Street at SW Broadway. On February 28, 2007 Portland State University hired former NFL coach Jerry Glanville as the Head Coach of the Vikings football team. In 2006, Portland State was declared to be the nation’s first Salmon Safe University by the nonprofit organization Salmon Safe.

Portland State University History

Portland State University is located in Portland, Oregon. Now a member of the Oregon University System, it officially adopted the name in 1969. It was founded as an extension center in 1946 and now awards bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. It is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Portland State University defines its mission as “to enhance the intellectual, social, cultural and economic qualities of urban life by providing access throughout the life span to quality Liberal Education for undergraduates and an appropriate array of professional and graduate programs especially relevant to metropolitan areas.”

Portland State University Academics

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Its primary academic programs are delivered through Portland State’s seven colleges and schools. Along with the more traditional arts and science programs, PSU is home to a school of Engineering & Computer Science and a school of Urban & Public Affairs.

The University is composed of a number of different schools and colleges: the School of Business Administration, the Graduate School of Education, the College of Engineering & Computer science, the College of Fine & Performing Arts, the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, the Graduate School of Social Work, and the College of Urban & Public Affairs.

Bachelor’s degrees are awarded in a number of different disciplines, including accounting, African studies, art, child and family studies, computer engineering, European studies, health studies, information systems, Japanese, mechanical engineering, political science, sculpture, speech and hearing science, and theatre arts. Minors are offered in many of these fields and also available in several others, such as Arabic, classical studies, computer applications, environmental engineering, international economics, Native American studies, and professional writing.

Additionally, there is an undergraduate Honors College intended for students who plan to attend graduate or professional school. Students in the honors program do not need to meet the general university requirements and instead work within the Honors College and their departmental majors.

Master’s degrees are awarded in the liberal arts and sciences, education, business administration (MBA), studio arts, engineering, social work, and the programs in the College of Urban & Public Affairs, among others.

The school awards twelve doctoral degrees, several with particular concentrations, in fields such as mathematics, engineering, environmental sciences, urban studies, and education, including counselor education. There are no doctoral degrees in the arts and humanities.

Portland State University Unique Programs

Perhaps the most innovated program at PSU is “Chiron,” named for a mythical educator. Students actually teach the courses offered through Chiron, and students may enroll in these peer-taught classes. Students also manage the program, serving as Coordinator or Assistant Coordinator, positions which are rotated every year through an application process facilitated by the Chiron Committee, also staffed by students. Obviously, Chiron instructors gain valuable experience as instructors. Students also benefit a great deal from the open exchange of ideas with their peers.

Portland State University Financial Aid

Portland State encourages all students, regardless of major or previous academic performance, to complete and submit a FAFSA to be considered for financial aid. The more traditional finance options are among the most prominent at Portland State, including Pell Grants, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, the Perkins Loan program, and the Stafford Loan program. Portland State also offers the opportunity of the Oregon Opportunity Grant and the Oregon University Program Supplemental Grant Program.

In-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students were $1802 for 18 credits in 2004-2005. Students applying from out of state and graduate students will have different costs.

Financial aid is available with a combination of grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs.

Portland State University Students

Portland State offers more than 100 student organizations around campus, including Greek groups and student political groups. The Student Activities and Leadership Program (SALP) offers students with different interests the opportunity to start their own student group if one does not currently exist to fit their needs.

Portland State also has a bevy of student-related activities on campus. The more traditional events include movie nights, lectures, and music recitals. Some of the less traditional events include Family Week, community forums, a feminism conference, and culturally-oriented dinners.

The Portland State University campus is located in downtown Portland. The campus is dense, with the buildings located close together. There is a nearby church, a large fountain, a private school, and other similar buildings around the campus. The Northwest Center for Engineering, Science & Technology is part of the campus.

The Portland State University Library offers electronic catalogs and on-line databases, in additional to physical volumes stored on site or available through interlibrary loan. The Library is home to the University archives.

Portland State University Traditions

Portland State’s most prominent tradition is the athletic Hall of Fame. Inductees include prominent student athletes who have performed well on the field, gone on to become successful professional athletes, or both. Portland State also has a thriving cheer and dance squad responsible for keeping spirits high at various athletic events.

Portland State University Local Community

Portland is the heart of America’s northwest region, and it is surrounded by some of the nation’s most beautiful rivers, lakes, forests, and skies. Outdoor leisure opportunities abound. The city itself could be considered a small big city or a big small city. It offers the amenities of both. The hip culture of nearby Seattle has made its way to Portland, offering students the coolest in record stores, clothing shops, and new restaurants. The Portland Art Museum, Oregon Historical Society, and a performing arts facility are all within walking distance of the Portland State campus.

The city of Portland is Oregon’s major metropolitan area, and offers an art museum, a performing arts complex, an NBA team, minor-league baseball, a zoo, public gardens, and hiking and biking trails.

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Comment and Corrections Make a comment …

Familiar with this University? We would love to hear about your experience. Feel free to add comments or additional information regarding Portland State University.

2 months ago

I am looking for a family member who attended this school in 1986. She majored in accounting. Her name is Stephanie Johnson and was 20 at that time. I have old Vancouver address, but can't find new info. If you know her, please give my e-mail to her, she knows who I am. THANX

2 months ago

I attended PSU in the late '60's and have attempted to locate a professor from that era named Dr. John Kovacs. He taught Political Science. If anyone knows anything about his later work, please inform me via this post. I deeply appreciate his Socratic teaching methods.

9 months ago

This university is most dishonest, horrible and dumbest universities I have ever seen!!!. Why? Because, no one cares about you as a student, no one calls you with warning regarding your financial situations, your status, etc. This is the fist college ever that provides PRE-RECORDED lectures, that at least needs to be updated ones in a while. For example, Microsoft Excel education is provided using lectures from 2006, by using Microsoft 2003!!!!. All the students using MS 2007!! Where is the logic? When you want to withdraw due their idiotic ideology, they won't release your transcripts. I lost 3 month out of my academic year, because PSU. Shame on them!!! Don't ever deal with them. BEST REGARDS.

11 months ago

I attended Portland State Extension Center In 1955 and 56 in general engineering. I had the GI Bill and a job at St Helen's Hall Episcopalian School for Girls to pay my way. I left to attend The Univ. of Calif. at Berkeley. I hated Cal but I loved Portland State. I don't imagine there are many of us old ones around anymore. Gib Barbee

over 2 years ago

Hello! I am interested in learning more specifics about the different academic programs; particularly, graduate and doctoral programs. How can I access programs with course descriptions and names of faculty who teach the different subjects,please? Thanks!

over 2 years ago

I am a sophmore at mountain view high school and I am a runner in XC and in track and was wondering who was on the teams and what times they get